Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle (Another PopEntertainment.com Movie Review)

PopEntertainment
Sep 10
3 min read

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA – INFINITY CASTLE (2025)

Japanese subtitled featuring the voices of Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitō, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Hiro Shimono, Takahiro Sakurai, Akira Ishida, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Reina Ueda, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kengo Kawanishi, Saori Hayami, Kenichi Suzumura, Tomokazu Seki, Kana Hanazawa, Tomokazu Sugita, Mamoru Miyano, Yuichi Nakamura and Lynn.

English dubbed featuring the voices of Zach Aguilar, Abby Trott, Aleks Le, Bryce Papenbrook, Brianna Knickerbocker, Zeno Robinson, Johnny Yong Bosch, Ray Chase, Griffin Burns, Erika Harlacher, Erik Scott Kimerer, Kaiji Tang, Kira Buckland, Crispin Freeman, Stephen Fu, Lucien Dodge, Alejandro Saab, Channing Tatum and Rebecca Wang.

Screenplay by Ufotable.

Directed by Haruo Sotozaki.

Distributed by Crunchyroll. 155 minutes. Rated R.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – A Masterclass in TV-to-Movie Adaptation

For the past year, Demon Slayer fans have been counting down to the moment our corps members descend into the Infinity Castle. On September 11th, U.S. audiences finally get to experience the long-awaited continuation of the saga. The hype is already electric, fueled by surging ticket sales worldwide. When Infinity Castle premiered in Japan, it didn’t just open big – it smashed records with the largest opening weekend in Japanese cinematic history. That kind of dominance is usually reserved for Marvel blockbusters, but to see an anime achieve it on a global scale is practically unheard of.

More than anything else, director Haru Sotozaki delivered a cinematic experience that honors the source material with show-like pacing and jaw-dropping visuals. But before I gush too much, let’s dive into what might be divisive for some fans: pacing.

Now, you might be asking, “How can pacing be an issue when you just said it was a highlight?” The answer lies with the storytelling style. If you’re familiar with the show, you know it often pauses mid-battle to dive into characters’ backstories or to weave in manga details. While longtime fans may appreciate the depth this adds, newcomers might find it jarring. Honestly, if you’ve never watched the anime, this isn’t the place to start. That said, the film’s transitions from fight to fight are smooth enough to keep the action engaging and prevent things from feeling overly mapped out (subtle spoiler).

Of course, Demon Slayer is renowned for its captivating visuals, and Infinity Castle takes that reputation to the next level. Whether it’s a shift in animation style to convey raw emotion or bursts of color exploding across the screen, Ufotable flexes their artistry at every turn. What stood out most to me wasn’t just the flashy battle effects, but the meticulous attention to background details. More than once I wished I could pause just to take in the sheer wow-factor of each frame. From the elegance of breathing styles with Shinobu vs. Doma, to the emotional depth of Zenitsu vs. Kaigaku, to the layered ferocity of Tanjiro and Giyu vs. Akaza, every clash felt alive.

And then there are the emotions – something Demon Slayer has never shied away from. From the opening moments with Shinobu, the film makes sure you feel everything. Her pain, Zenitsu’s regret, Tanjiro’s determination, even Giyu’s weary resilience – all resonate on a visceral level. The score by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina elevates these feelings, perfectly complementing the stellar performances of the voice cast. Bring tissues, because the music and voice acting combine to squeeze tears out of you whether you’re ready or not.

Throughout the film, we also get deeper insight into what the remaining Hashira and Demon Slayer Corps are enduring. We learn why the crows entered the castle, where Nezuko has been, and why her absence matters. And just when you’re fully immersed, the movie leaves you with a cliffhanger that teases what’s to come – while still making part one of this trilogy feel complete.

Overall, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is an absolute triumph. It blends spectacle with heart, staying faithful to the source while delivering cinematic thrills. I’m giving it a glowing 4.5 out of 5 Nichirin Swords.

Jamie LeBlanc